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Cultural Calendar Ideas for March

The birds are returning!


Parent Involvement Ideas + Book Recommendations For March:

What happens in March? March is the time that geese and other birds return from the South. This month is a great time to focus on teachings involving the sky, geese and other migratory birds.


Here are a few ways to incorporate this into your March calendar with parent involvement and books!

  • If you have a Parent Board in your center, consider posting traditional teachings stars and constellations.

  • Promote words that stipulate what you would see in the night sky, using translation from your traditional language. Encourage parents to share the same words in their traditional language.


  • Post a map of places that are great for family star watching - lend out telescopes or have a contest to win a telescope.

  • Have each family send in a word in their language (such as: family, welcome etc), than make a display with the family’s pictures, nation and word.

  • Send home star guides and traditional stories that take place in the sky.

  • Encourage parents to take children stargazing. Have families send in pictures or post to your site’s private Facebook page.

  • Host a family evening outside. Invite Elders to come and tell stories, share warm drinks and have the opportunity for families to use telescopes and lay together to look under the night sky.

  • Have a roasted goose lunch and invite the elders to tell traditional stories, invite the parents to come as well.

  • Host a sewing circle for parents and kids, and have a fluent traditional speakers present to share their language skills.

  • Host a parents night or family craft night where they can make a “Welcome” sign in their own language for display.

  • Post links and resources on your Facebook page to encourage interest from families on what the children have been learning at AHS.

  • Send home supplies and a recipe for a roasted goose dinner, duck soup or rabbit stew to celebrate the changing of the seasons.

March Cultural Resources:


Our Book Pick of the month:


Title: Maakusie Loves Music

Author: The Music Group, Twin Flames

Chelsea June & Jaaji

Illustrated by: Tamara Campeau To purchase: Inhabit Books


This book introduces young readers to the exciting world of traditional and modern music in the Arctic. Traditional Inuit music and instruments are featured in this interactive story.



Recommended Children’s Books:

Available for Purchase at Strong Nations

  • Going Home - the Story of Animal Migration, by: Marianne Berkes

  • The Little Duck Sikihpsis, by: Stan Cuthand

  • The Water Walkers, by: Joanne Robertson

  • We Are Water Protectors, by: Carole Lindstrom

  • In the Sky at Nighttime, by: Laura Deal

  • Sky Sisters, by: Jan Bourdeau Waboose

  • Northern Lights - The Soccor Trails, by: Michael Kusugak

  • Animals in the Sky, by: Sara Gillingham


Recipe of the Month: Salmon & Wild Rice Chowder

Source: Native Womens Association of Canada Traditional Foods & Recipes


Ingredients:


1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves of minced garlic

1 tsp minced fresh thyme

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 to 5 cups milk

1 cup cooked wild rice

1 to 1/2 cups cooked or uncooked salmon, cut into dice size pieces

Salt & Pepper to taste

dash Tabasco optional


Directions:

  1. In a large soup pot over medium-low hat, add butter, onion, garlic, and thyme and saute until soft

  2. Add flour, salt,and pepper, stirring constantly until well blended

  3. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until sauce comes to a boil and thickens

  4. Add cooked wild rice and salmon, simmer for 5 minutes until salmon is heated or cooked

  5. Season to taste

  6. Remove from heat and serve

  7. Use food safety instructions if storing


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